A group of scientists and engineers from NATO’s Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) embarked aboard NATO Research Vessel (NRV) Alliance to conduct experimental mine countermeasure operations off the coast of Spain from 7 to 11 October, 2019. The team formed a part of the much larger NATO-led maritime Exercise Dynamic Mariner 2019, where they tested autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) while at sea. Throughout the exercise, AUVs were launched with the help of NRV Alliance’s Italian Navy crew. The AUVs are then put on either pre-planned courses or left to autonomously decide how to scan the ocean floor for potential mines or improvised explosive devices, which could cause major damage in the maritime domain. NATO’s CMRE, established in 1959, celebrated its 60th anniversary in October. It is a world-class scientific research and experimentation facility that organises and conducts scientific research and technology development, centred on the maritime domain, delivering innovative and field-tested science and technology solutions to address defence and security needs of NATO. The Centre operates two research vessels, including NRV Alliance, which allow them to conduct research and develop and test new technology at sea. Dynamic Mariner is a NATO-led crisis response exercise with an emphasis on training the NATO Response Force’s maritime element. NATO command groups, including Allied Maritime Command, Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) and SNMG2, participate in the exercise. More than 2,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from 18 Allied nations participate in the exercise, which runs from 7 to 18 October, 2019.
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